Episode No. 5 mini-recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. UK'

The show, also dubbed “TUF: The Smashes,” features Australian fighter George Sotiropoulos and the U.K.’s Ross Pearson as head coaches of their country’s respective teams, which feature a total of eight lightweights and eight welterweights. They compete in a pair of single-elimination tournaments during the series, which concludes at UFC on FX 6 on Dec. 15.

FX airs the show in Australia, and ESPN carries the show in the U.K. It’s available online at aus.tuf.tv for the rest of the world beginning Thursdays at 9 a.m. ET (6 a.m. PT).

Here are the highlights from episode No. 5:

• Team UK’s Colin Fletcher keeps the prank war going by defacing another picture of Team Australia coach George Sotiropoulos. In addition to some new accessories, they’ve written the phrase “The only joke you have” and drawn an arrow to his waistline.

• Team UK is having fun at the house by kicking it at the pool. It’s a heated game of inter-team water volleyball, and the losers have to take a naked lap around the grounds. Team Australia isn’t quite as rambunctious, and they’re not happy with their opponents making noise and interrupting sleep. It turns out Team UK is just getting started, and a full-on food fight comes next. Food is everywhere, but the team does clean it up.

• The next day, Team UK is working out at the pool. “Freakshow” Fletcher is given a women’s one-piece swimsuit, which he dons with pride. A pair of pink goggles completes the look.

• It’s time for the fight announcement. With Team UK coming off of a win, they have control of the next welterweight contest. With only four fighters left in the 170-pound division, they’re essentially deciding the final two matchups in the first round of the welterweight tournament. Team UK Coach Ross Pearson picks his own Bola Omoyele against Team Australia’s Manny Rodriguez. Team Australia’s Robert Whittaker said that’s exactly the way his team wanted it done.

• Team UK’s Luke Newman reveals his under a 30-day suspension is unable to have any contact in training. Since he doesn’t feel he’ll be much help to the team, he tells coach Pearson he’d just as soon go home. Pearson advises him against making that decision, even if he isn’t able to participate in practice each day. Newman isn’t buying in, and Pearson think he’s basically quit. Newman claims he just wants to see a doctor back home rather than one in Australia. Omoyele is disappointed his friend won’t be sticking around. The rest of the team wants him to stick around, as well, but Newman isn’t an easy sell. It takes some staunch negotiating, but he finally decides to see the season through.

• Team Australia answers back in the poster-defamation conflicts by adding a little tape and turning “Team UK” to “Team SUK.”

• Both fighter weigh 170.5 pounds, and the fight between Team UK’s Omoyele and Team Australia’s Rodriguez is official.

• The poster war continues, and the expletives are coming out. Censors have to blur out the latest salvos, but it’s finally time for the fight.

• In the bout, Team UK’s Omoyele takes the center and strikes well from distance. As Team Australia’s Rodriguez moves forward, Omoyele kicks the leg and dumps him on the floor. Rodriguez defends well from his back and finally crawls up to his feet with 90 seconds left. From there he scores a takedown from a high-crotch grab and then sets up a choke from north-south. It’s sneaky and tight, and Omoyele is forced to tap.

A total of 26 fighters got their chance to shine on Saturday as part of UFC 190 at Rio de Janeiro’s HSBC Arena. Now that UFC 190 is in the books, it’s time to commence MMAjunkie’s “Three Stars” ceremony.

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